The Puffer Forum

Hello

-I just got home from my lfs and in the freshwater section they had a puffer fish labeled as a Figure eight Puffer. They were gray/green with two orange 8 shapes along their backs. I've done some research and the pictures I've found don't really match up.. They were about 2 inches long. Are these figure eight puffers or something entirely different?

-Can you suggest any freshwater puffers that would do well in a ten gallon tank? Other than dwarf lol.

thanksss

Figure 8 Puffers are a Low End Brackish species. It could either be a different species completely. Or it could be a figure 8 that is mislabeled. Other then a dwarf puffer I dont know of any puffer whether it be brackish saltwater or freshwater thats suitable for a 10g tank.

I think what you saw may be a miss label:

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Marine/T_Ocellatus/

more similar to??:

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Marine/T_Ocellatus ... 0.JPG.html

have you checked the pufferpedia?
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/

it is very helpful, unfortunately it contains more species than what your LFS may be able to obtain, thus limiting your selection

Your second link!! The exact puffer I saw is the last picture in the first link if u scroll down. I did go to pufferpedia and i saw that one but didnt click on it or anything because the main pic didn't really look like it

Fugu! A fish for the advanced at best.

With over filtration you MAY get away with a different fish.. but in a 10G dwarfs are your best shot.. unless you go REALLY exotic.. which will cost you an arm and a leg.

If you can keep the 10G (snail breeder) and upgrade to a 20G the doors are wide open

well, as a student i'm very limited in space and money... so i don't know....

but thanks for the help

target used tanks ... $1.00 per gallon bare $2.00 all inclusive. There are good deals out there

ok i'll look into that thanks

What would be some good tank mates for two or one dwarf puffers in a ten gallon?

or what about a south american puffer?

I'd stick with DP in your situation. Currently my wife and I have a 10g with a DP, 3 Oto's and a handful of cherry shrimp. So far we haven't noticed any problems, but the DP is still a juvenile. The shrimp are in there as a breeding population to try and give him some live, healthy, food to hunt. If you can swing it I'd definitely invest in lighting for live plants as well. We have a decently planted tank and it seems to really keep the DP interested in exploration. Good luck with your tank!

A South American puffer is not a good choice for a couple of reasons. Firstly, your tank isn't big enough, and secondly, they need to be in small groups to be happiest, so you'd want at least 3 to start off, again, your tank isn't big enough.
Dwarf puffers really are quite nice. I love them, and hope to always have some. They are very entertaining, and don't let the size fool you, they are feisty for being so small.

Hierony wrote:I'd stick with DP in your situation. Currently my wife and I have a 10g with a DP, 3 Oto's and a handful of cherry shrimp. So far we haven't noticed any problems, but the DP is still a juvenile. The shrimp are in there as a breeding population to try and give him some live, healthy, food to hunt. If you can swing it I'd definitely invest in lighting for live plants as well. We have a decently planted tank and it seems to really keep the DP interested in exploration. Good luck with your tank!

Do you think I could get away with 2 DPs, 2 Otos, and some shrimp? And btw are cherry shrimp commonly found at fish stores?

Look into kuhli loaches, they're awesome little fish.

Yes, cherry shrimp are very common. Stores normally charge a lot for them so try to find some from another hobbyist. Way cheaper. For example, the LFS sells them for $3 plus tax but from a local you can buy them for 50 cents.

From what I understand Otos are happiest with a group of three. I believe the same goes for the loaches. Like Flutter suggested if you can find someone near you with some cherries it is much better. My wife and I started with three and now have about twenty. They are super easy to breed. DPs are so much fun, he is probably our most inquisitive intriguing puffer.